Control apparatus



K. A. slMMoN ETAL Sept. 30 1924.*-

' CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 23 1920 Fly z.

wlTNEssEs:

Patented Sept. 30, 1924.-.

yUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KARL A. SIMMON, OF EDGEVOOD 'Riti-XK. AND It. MEYER, 0F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVAINA, ASSIGNORS TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA. y

CONTROL APPARATUS.

.To all whom. t may concer/n.'

Be it known that we, KARL A. SrMMoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Edgewood Parli, in the county yof Alleglieny and State of'y Pennsylvania, and HARRY R. Maven, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of l'lllilkinsbiiirg, in the county of Allegheny and State ot Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Control Apparatus, of which the following is a. specification.

Our invention relates to control apparatus and it has special relation to fluid-pressureroperated. slidable Contact members for governing the circuits ofy electric motors.

One object of our invention is to provide a relatively compact, effective and reliable device of the above-indicated character for effecting operation of certain electrical circuits in accordance with a predetermined time sequence.

Another object of our invention is to provide, in combination with a piston-and-cylinder device for actuating a movable contact member, auxiliary means in the form of relatively small cylinders that are connected to one end of the main cylinder to absorb a predetermined degree of fiuid pressure under initial operating` conditions, whereby the otherwise rapid starting n'iovement of the contact member is prevented.

Viewed from another angle. it is an ob-y jectof our invention to provide a slidable contact member that shall be actuated at a substantially constant speed by a piston-andcylinder device, irrespective ot the tendency toward an initial rush of fluid-pressure and a consequent relatively rapid initial actuation of the contact member.

Our invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure l is a view. chiefly in side elevation and partially in section, of a control apparatus constructed in accordance with ourpresent invention; and

Fig. 2 is a view. in front elevation, of the device shown in Fig. l, with the exception of the controlling-valve means therefor.

Referring to the drawing, the-structure here shown comprises a suitable base or supporting slab l upon. which is mounted an opera-ting piston-and-cylinder device 2. and an insulating finger-carrying bridge 3 for co- Applicaton filed. March 23, 1920. Serial No. 368,023.

cylinder device 2, a suitable piping arrange-f' y vment 9y being provided for connecting the three cylinders with an electromagneticallycontrolled valve device l0 with which isassociatcdan appliance ll for reducing the normal fiuid pressure provided from a supply pip@ l2. The actuation or" the movable contact-carrying member 4 means of thev cylinder device 2 is opposed by a plurality of relatively long spiral springs 8, as herein- "fier more fully set forth.

The main cylinder device 2 comprises a cylinder or 1tube 2n' that is supported, at its respective ends, ay means of a plurality ci bent straps or yoles 15 and 16 which are secured to the base l by means of a plurality of screws or bolts 17 and 18, respectively. A pistonmeniber 19 travels within the cylinder 2a, being showny in its extreme operative position, and the piston rod 2O is rigidly associated with a lug or arm 2l at the remote end ot the supporting'member for the movable contact device 4.

The insulating bridge 3 .may be of solid or composite form and is shown comprisng two spaced blocks 32l and 8" and a top plate or bridging niembe" 3. The bridge 3 is secured, near its opposite ends, to the base l by means of suitable bolts 22 and 23, respectively. A plurality ot control fingers 24 are secured to the insulating plate 3C ina single row for the purpose of engaging a suitably configured contact segment 25 on the face-plate device or movable co-ntactcarrying member 4. Suitable sheet insulatmaterial 26 is placed over that portion of the face of the movable contact-carrying member 4 that is not occupied by the contact segment- 25 to provide smooth contacting movement throughout the operating range oli' the apparatus.

The contact segment 25 and the insulating material 26 are suitably secured to an insulating plate 9.7 which is mounted upon a metallic` base or support 28. with which the lug or arm 2l is preferably integrally associated.

F or the purpose of securing steady movenient of the contact-carrying` member lin the desiredl plane of operation, a plurality ot side guiding members or rails 29 and are provided upon their inner faces with a right-angle Lgroove for receiving correspondingly-dimensioned tongues S4 ot the insulating;T plate 27. A. suitable degree oiz clearance, as indicated by the reference characters is provided between the right-hand and the lett-hand edges ot the plate 27, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the lguiding rails 29 and 30, while the upper edge et the insulating plate Q7 abuts against a cross-tie for the guide rails when the contact-carryine` member 4l occupies its illustrated extreme upper position,V The lower ends ot the 2"uide-ra-ils 2f) and 30 are secured to the base-plate l by means of suitable screws or bolts 8l and The auxiliary cylinders or surplus-capacity devices G and 7 are located symmetrn cally on opposite sides .oi1 the main cylinder device Q. The two auxiliary cylinders may be oi identical form and the device 6 is shown as comprising` a tubular body member o r pipesection 36, the upper end oit which is closed by a suitable cap 87, while the lower end is screwed into an elbow 39 which communicates, through a short ,pipe lO, with a 'tour-way connector The auxiliary cylinder' 7 is similarly connected, through an elbow lL-3 and a short1 pipe all, to the opposite sideot the Ytour-way connectoiI ell.

The upper outlet ot the four-way connector all connects, through ashort pipe 4:5, with a bushing 46 .leading directly to the main-cylinder device 2. The opposite or lower Vend of the four-way connector ll receives a pipe 47 that communicates with the valve device 10.

A yolre or aperture plate 50 surrounds the lonshing` 416, and the lower or stationary endsl of the spiral springs 8 are secured to opposite sides oit' the yoke member, The springs entend, in parallel lines, upwardly toward the other end oLt the apparatus, and the upper ,or movable ends oi the springs are hooked around the grooved ends of .a pin or small rod 5l that extends through the lug,` or arm 2l ot the supporting base QS for the movable contact-carrying.;l member l.

The electromagnetic valve device l0 may, in general, be oit any well-known type and is here shown as comprisinl an encasing member tor containing a magnet coil 53 thatoperates upon a plunger or armature stem 54, to one end of which is secured a double-,beat valve plug 55. The outlet or delivery7 passage 56 of the valve permanently communicates with the pipe i7 and is adapted to temporarily communicate with either an Yexhaust port 57, when the valve is closed, or with the pressure-reducing appliance ll when the 'valve occupies its illustrated open position.

The pressure-reducing appliance ll may recesselilrewise be ot any suitable type and is not believed to require detailed explanation here. The particular device illustrated is fully set forth in a copendingv application of Karl il. Simmon, Serial No. slfll, Filed l)ecember 3, i919. i

It will be seen that we have provided a relatively compact and rugged control apparatus which may be readily mounted in anyv convenient location to be remotely controlled through the agency of the electromagnetic valve device l0.

Tl illustratec extreme position may be set 'l'orth' follows. Upon the energization oit the magnet coil 53, the valve plug is actuated to its illustrated open position to admit fluid pressure 'from the supply pipe l?. through the appliance l1, whereby the pressure is reduced to any desired value to correspondingly regulate the operating speed oi the movable contact-c`arrying member l, Huid pressure beingl conducted out of the valve device l() through passage 56 and pipe 4:7 to the tour-way ,connector il The compressed Yfluid is then divided into three parts, the main body passing directly on to the main cylinder device 2,wherea two smaller and 'equal portions respectively pass into the auxiliary cylinders or tubes 6 and 7. ln this way, a sufficient amount ot.' the compressed tluid or decree or pressure thereoi" is absorbed inthe auxiliary cylinders 6 and 7 to prevent the otherwise relatively rapiLL n'iovement of the piston 19 that would ccur pon the sudden admission ot the full amori of fluid pressure. i

The piston i9 is thus gradually actuated from the lor-:er end of the cylinder 2a towarr its .illustrated position in the upper end, in opposition to the action otV the pair ot spiral springs S. tter the til'st rush ,oi tluid pressure which lille the auxiliary cylinders and i' and intially activates the piston 15.-), the llull velue ol Vfluid pressure that admitted tlu'ough the valve device lll is conA veyed to the cylinder to torce the pistou upwardly. A

its a result, the nioyement of the 'Face plate device el; under the insulating` bridge 3 occurs at a substantially constant rate, and the several positions on the contact. segment 25, whereby various"combinations oi the control lingers 2st are actively employed,inay be laid out in accordance with his rate ot movement to eii'ect `closure of the several motoncontrolling switches in the desired sequence and at proper time intervals. i

To effect a return of the control apparatus to its normal or lower position, the magnet coil maybe cle-energized, whereupon the plug` valve 55 isactuated toits closed position vto cut ott access' with the supply l2 and to effectcommunicationbeie operation ot our apparatus to the llO tween the delivery passage 56 and the exhaust port 57. f

Consequently, the main cylinder 2 and also the auxiliary cylinders 6 and 7 are directly connected to the atmosphere, and a rapid exhaust of the fluid' pressure in the three cylinders occurs. At the same time, the spiral springs 8 act upon the movable contact-carrying member l to cause it to pass underneath the bridge 3 to its lowermost position as the fluid pressure is eX- haustcd from the main cylinder 2a, until the arm 21 strikes the upper end of the cylinder 2a, which marks the extreme lower position of the movable contact-carrying member 4;.

lVe do not Wish to be restricted to the specific structural details or arrangement of parts herein set forth, as' various modifications thereof may be effected Within the spirit and scope of our invention. We desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

W e claim as our invention:

l. Control apparatus comprising a movable contact member, a piston-and-cylinder device for actuating said member, a base member for supporting said device, a supply-pipe for said cylinder fitted with a four- Way connector, and a plurality of auxiliary cylinders located on opposite sides' of the cylinder device and supported solely by said connector.

2. Control apparatus comprising abase member, a piston-and-cylinder device and an insulating bridge secured to opposite sides thereof, a contact member actuated by the piston to pass under said bridge, and auxiliary fluid-receiving means connected to said device.

El. Control apparatus comprising a base member. a piston-and-cylinder device and an insulating bridge secured to opposite sides thereof, a contact member actuated by the piston to pass under said bridge, a plurality of control fingers mounted on said bridge to engage the contact member, a plurality of springs arranged on opposite sides' of said device to oppose the action of the piston, and an auxiliary receptacle connected to the cylinder.

4. Control apparatus comprising a base member, a piston-and-cylinder device semember having its remote end secured tov the piston, a plurality of guiding rails for said slidable member secured to said base member, a plurality of springs' secured to said remote end to oppose the action of the piston, a supply-pipe for the cylinder litted with a four-Way connector, and a plurality of auxiliary cylinders communicating with said connector.

6. Control apparatus comprising a base member, a piston-and-cylinder device and an insulating bridge secured to opposite sides thereof, a slidable contact-carrying member adapted to pass under said bridge and having its remote end secured to the piston, a plurality of guiding rails for said slidable member secured to said base member, a plurality of control fingers mounted on said bridge to engage the contact member, and a plurality of auxiliary cylinders communicating With said device.

7. Control apparatus comprising a base member, a. piston-and-cylinder device and an insulating bridge securedto opposite sides thereof, a slidable contact-carrying member adapted to pass under said bridge and having its remote end secured to the piston, a plurality of guiding rails for said slidable member secured to said base member, a plurality of control fingers mounted on said bridge to engage the contact membei', a plurality of springs arranged on opposite sides' of said device and secured to said remote end to oppose the action of the piston, a supply-pipe for the cylinder tted with a four-Way connectonand a plurality of auxiliary cylinders located on opposite sides of the cylinder device and supported solely by said connector.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto subscribed our names this 10th day of March, 1920.

KARL A. SIMMON. HARRY R. MEYER. 

